Updated: March
20, 2017Highbridge
Festival of the Arts 2017 - all the final results and photos

Burnham-On-Sea.com
has all the results for every class at the 2017 Highbridge Festival
of the Arts.

Hundreds
of talented youngsters from the ages of three upwards are competing
for top honours at the 70th annual festival.

This
year's special event, which was opened by Mayor Cllr Michael Clarke,
runs from 6th-18th March across two venues - The Princess Theatre
and Arts Centre in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Community Hall.

Music Results
- Saturday 18th March 2017

The
70th Highbridge Festival ended with a 'bang' on Saturday 18 March
as the Mayor, Mayoress, Deputy Mayor & Mayoress all visited
St John's Church in Highbridge to hear four adult choirs perform.
Cllr Michael Clark, Mayor of Burnham and Highbridge, began the evening
by saying how proud he was that the Towns hosted such a prestigious
event. Cllr Bill Hancock said that the whole Festival had been "marvellous"
and that he was very keen to encourage youngsters to take part in
the Festival. Earlier in the day, soloists aged 12 and upwards sang
in a wide variety of styles, from songs for worship to Edwardian
Parlour Songs. Vocal Adjudicator, Luise Horrocks, was again impressed
by the standard of singing throughout the day and was delighted
to award an Honours mark to Rowan Mobsby-Frost for her rendition
of an arranged folk song.

Class
V4C Vocal Solo Any Song from a Disney Production
1st Fiona Williams
2nd Hannah Murdoch

Class
V4D Vocal Solo Any Song from a Disney Production
1st Rowan Mobsby-Frost
2nd Katy-Ann Rogers

The
audience at the first day of vocal performances were treated to
songs in a wide variety of styles from pop to opera. Adjudicator,
Luise Horrocks, said that she was impressed with the high standard
of singing amongst the primary school aged children, who sang solos
in the morning and afternoon sessions. The evening continued with
duets and groups performances from older children and adults, which
delighted the large audience. The Festival finishes on Saturday
with vocal solos during the day at Highbridge Community Hall and
adult choir performances in the evening at St John's Church, Highbridge.

The
final day of the Instrumental Classes of the Festival delighted
the adjudicator and large audiences with performances from groups
of all shapes and sizes. The standard of the entries was high and
Honours were awarded to Churchfield Voices, Centrevoice and The
King Alfred Concert Band. The daytime sessions saw performances
from five local schools, which brought a tear to the eye of many
in the audience. The evening session was filled with group performances
on varied instruments from brass to woodwind and on to percussion.
Gillian Oswell, the adjudicator, said that the whole week had been
fantastic and she had enjoyed it immensely. The Festival continues
on Friday and Saturday with vocal classes, culminating in choral
performances at St John's Church on the Saturday evening. All other
vocal classes take place at Highbridge Community Hall.

Class
C35Yr6 Choral Large Choir Music for School Worship
1st Churchfield Voices

Highbridge
Community Hall was packed with an appreciative audience on Wednesday
as choirs from three local schools performed during the afternoon.
The adjudicator, Gillian Oswell, thoroughly enjoyed the children's
performances, awarding distinction marks to each choir.

Earlier in the day, performers both young and not-so-young, braved
their stage nerves to share their talents in a non-competitive class,
whilst Florence Pincott won the Elena Cobb Beginners' Star Prize.
During the evening session, the audience was enthralled by violin
recitals by Annie Tiso and Poppy McGhee. Solo performances on woodwind
and brass instruments delighted the audience and were praised by
the adjudicator. Thursday is the final instrumental day, with the
vocal section taking place on Friday and Saturday.

The
second day of the Music Section of the Festival heard many super
performances from individuals and duets on stringed, woodwind and
brass instruments. The recorder group and orchestra from St Joseph's
School in Burnham-On-Sea played during the day, as well as a group
of young recorder players from Bridgwater Academy. The evening audience
were entertained by songs from Annie by Churchfield School and a
medley of songs by Burnham Youth Choir, which gained them an Honours
mark, together with a wide variety of duets from teenagers and adults.

The
Music Section of the Festival was opened on Monday by Deputy Mayor,
Bill Hancock, who said that he thought it was wonderful that children
and young people had the opportunity to show and develop their talents
by taking part. Monday was devoted to pianists of all ages, whose
playing ranged from those who had only just started to learn to
play the piano to those who were already reaching very high standards.
13 year old Ben Shattock was awarded honours marks twice for his
performances, whilst Katie Radford won the Intermediate Eleanor
Cobb Star Prize.

The
Dance Section of the Festival ended on Sunday with a celebration
of dance from the oldest competitors, dancers aged 15 to 21. Following
their individual performances the young people joined together to
represent their dance schools and perform 15 very varied and entertaining
group dances. Adjudicator Linda Young enjoyed the evening, saying:
"What a lovely way to round off this Festival!" The Festival
now moves to Highbridge Community Hall for the Music Section, which
will culminate with performances by adult choirs on Saturday 18
March from 6pm at St John's Church, Highbridge.

Class
86 National Group 21 Years and Under
1st Jayne Elizabeth Theatre School

Class
85 Classical Group 21 Years and Under
1st Annette Adams School of Dancing
2nd Nicky Jenks School of Dance
3rd Somerset Dance Umbrella

Class
82 Cabaret group 21 Years and Under
1st Somerset Dance Umbrella
2nd First Steps & Carly Elizabeth School
3rd= Nicky Jenks School of Dance
3rd= The Lisa Jane School of Dance

Dance Results
- Saturday 11th March 2017

The Festival welcomed dancers aged 13 and 14 on Saturday, many
of whom have been dancing at Highbridge for many years. The Dance
Secretary, Marilyn Banks, commented on how lovely it was to see
them progress with their dance and develop their technique over
the years. The day was rounded off with a variety of very entertaining
dances performed by four adult dance groups.

It
was the turn of the 11 and 12 year olds to showcase their dancing
at the Festival on Friday. The auditorium was packed in the evening
for group performances by pupils from eight different dance schools.
Everyone enjoyed the variety of dances and presentation styles on
show and the dancers were praised for their entertaining performances.
The Dance Section continues tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, however,
tickets for the group dances on Sunday evening have already sold
out.

Thursday
saw the 9 and 10 year olds take to the stage at The Princess Theatre,
showcasing a wide range of dancing talent from ballet solos to hip
hop/street dance solos, along with group cabaret performances in
the early evening.

Class
83 Classical Group 9 Years and Under
1st Nicky Jenks School of Dance

Class
80 Cabaret Group 9 Years and Under
1st Signature Dance Studio
2nd First Steps and Carly Elizabeth School
3rd Somerset Dance Umbrella

Dance Results
- Wednesday 8 March 2017:

The Dance Section began on Wednesday with many delightful performances
from the youngest competitors. The adjudicator, Linda Young, said
how pleased she was to see these youngsters starting out on their
dancing journeys and commended them and their teachers on their
hard work preparing for the Festival.

The
second day of the Speech and Drama Section of Highbridge Festival
saw and heard 373 people perform on the stage at The Princess Theatre
in Burnham. Children from seven local schools performed in choral
speaking groups, as well as many other children from our local schools,
who performed as individuals. Students from King Alfred School impressed
the adjudicator with their devised dramas and adults also delighted
the audience with their polished performances and comic timing.

Class
126CD Devised Drama
1st King Alfred Group 4
2nd King Alfred Group 7
3rd King Alfred Group 1

Speech &
Drama Results - Monday 6th March 2017:

Organisers of Highbridge Festival of The Arts said they were delighted
with the opening day of this year's Festival. Children and adults
from across the area, including many children from local schools,
took part in a very successful day's performances of Speech &
Drama. The adjudicator, Marcia Carr, commented that she was especially
pleased by the standard of performances and enjoyed the opportunity
to see a range of drama from monologues to scripted group pieces.
An outstanding performance was given by Francesca Smith, who gained
Honours marks for her scripted monologue.